Queen Victoria Building

Shopping may be what the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) is all about today, but it wasn't so when it was built in 1898.

The QVB was constructed as a monument to Queen Victoria and was originally a concert hall and later a library. It was slated to be demolished in the 1950s until the local council began restoration works, which continue today. Located on George and Pitt Streets (opposite the Hilton Sydney), the QVB houses outlets including men's and ladies' fashion, gifts and souvenirs, arts and antiques, restaurants and cafés. If you have the time you could spend an entire day wandering the floors of the QVB, as many people apparently do. It is open until 6 p.m. from Monday to Wednesday, 9 p.m. on Thursday, 6 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday.

All kinds of ingredients pop up in various gins with some bottles boasting 40 or more botanicals. But South Gin may well be the only bottle featuring Manuka berries and Kawakawa leaves, which are staples of Maori medicine from New Zealand. Faintly spicy with a light nose, South Gin weighs in at more than 96 proof, yet is gentle on the palate.

All kinds of ingredients pop up in various gins with some bottles boasting 40 or more botanicals. But South Gin may well be the only bottle featuring Manuka berries and Kawakawa leaves, which are staples of Maori medicine from New Zealand. Faintly spicy with a light nose, South Gin weighs in at more than 96 proof, yet is gentle on the palate.